Hairdresser{3 s implement

ABSTRACT

A hairdresser&#39;&#39;s implement comprises a curling iron having a pivotable tong, a comb, and a bracket for securing the comb to the tong. The bracket is shaped for keying and quick-detachable insertion of the comb into the bracket.

Umted States Patent 1191 1 1 3,913,591 Zoth 1451 Oct. 21, 1975 [5 1 HAIRDRESSERS IMPLEMENT 1.105.962 8/1914 Carlson 132/118 [76] Inventor: William Zoth, 1100 Penn Center Blvd.. Apt. 315 Pittsburgh, Pa. 2:098:593 1937 15235 2.232.669 2/1941 221 Filed: Aug. 30, 1974 M949 PP N -i 501.992 Primary Examiner-G. E. McNeil! Attorney. Agent. or Firm-Donn J. 81111111 [52] US. 132/91 132/371! [51] Int. CL. M50 1/00 57 ABSTRACT [58] Field of Search 132/11. 33.36.118.136. A h d l I 811 T8S8TS mp amen Compnsc? d CUE 1H1? If?" 15/4; 34/97 243 hav1ng a plvotable tong.-a comb. and a br dckex tor ecunng the comb to theto ng. The bracket 1s shaped for [56] Re'erences cued rnctygirlfieuggcigitck-detuchublc insertion of the comb UNITED STATES PATENTS 1.033.122 7/1912 Schwartz 132/118 6 Claims. 4 Drawing Figures U.S. Patent Oct. 21, 1975 3,913,591

HAIRDRESSERS IMPLEMENT The present invention relates to a hairdressers implement. amd more particularly to an implement of the character described having an arrangement for conveniently and cfficaciousiy attaching a comb thereto.

The invention especially concerns a hairdressers implement including a curling iron and quick-attach means for securing one of a number of combs thereto. According to another feature of the invention, such securance is made in a manner to minimize the transfer of heat from the curling iron to the comb.

Conventlonally miladys hair is dressed by a hair dresser using a curling iron in one hand and a comb in the other. An inefficient operation results. owing to the hairdressers lacking a free hand for manipulating the hair, unless he lays either the comb or the curling iron on some suitable support. This procedure engenders a series of unnecessary and time-consuming motions. Moreover. when the hairdresser reaches for a comb in the conventional manner, there is a normal tendency to dip the curling iron toward milady's scalp. As the curling iron obviously is hot. there is an attendant hazard for the customer.

By affixing the comb to the curling iron in a suitable .viously disclosed which consist of a curling iron and a comb permanently attached thereto. Although a known implement in this category would apparently free one of the hairdressers hands. changing of combs is impossible. nor can the comb be detached from the implement for those few operations involving use ofthe curling iron and comb in hands simultaneously, or use of the iron without an attached comb. Quite often it is desired to replace comb of the implement with one having a different size. shape. styling or tooth spacing or pitch, an impossibility with hair dressing implements of which i am aware.

Most importantly, known forms of hair dressers implements involve not only permanent attachment of the comb but also means for increasing. rather than diminishing. heat transfer from the curling iron to the comb. An increased heat transfer to the comb is highly undesirable in that the hot comb usually is drawn along the customer's scalp and adds considerably to her discomfiture. This disadvantage is aggravated in more recent times owing to the use of combs fabricated from aluminum or other materials which conduct heat readily.

Accordingly, I have developed a unique and unexpected form of hairdressers implement wherein unusual means are provided for detachably joining a comb to a curling iron, particularly to the arm or tong thereof. The comb is thus readily detachable from the curling iron for replacement with a different style of comb or for use of either the curling iron or the comb in separate motions or manipulations. The hairdresser's implement of my invention thus enables the hairdresser to curl and comb in essentially one motion. The implement can serve as a temporary holder for the comb, or it can permit quick comb changing or replacement as desired. in another unexpected feature of my invention. the arrangement for supporting or mounting the comb on the curling iron is not only readily or quickdetachable from the comb but also is readily or quickdetachable from the curling iron to permit use of the curling iron without any incumberance when desired. in still another unexpected feature of my invention the comb mounting arrangement is configured so as to minimize the transfer of heat from the curling iron to the comb.

l accomplish the foregoing desirable ends and overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a hairdressers implement for curling and combing hair and for substantially reducing the transfer of heat from said implement to the scalp. said implement comprising a curling iron having a plvotable tong. a comb. and a bracket for securing said comb to said tong. said bracket and said tong being shaped for interfitting quick-detachable engagement. said bracket and said comb being shaped for interfitting quick-detachable engagement. said bracket when so engaged defining at least one thermally insulating and heat dissipating passage extending therethrough for substantially reducing the transfer of heat from said tong to said comb.

i also desirably provide a similar implement wherein said bracket is provided with a pair ofgenerally parallel lips for engaging lateral edges respectively of said tong, said lips spacing said tong from a heating element casing of said curling iron in the substantially closed position of said tong. said lips in addition being spaced from one another to define an additional thermally insulating and heabdissipating passage between said heating element casing and said tong in further reduction of heat transfer from said curling iron to said comb in the substantially closed position of said tong.

i also desirably provide a similar implement wherein said bracket and said comb are further shaped to define a further longitudinal passage extending between said bracket and a back portion of said comb for thermal insulating and heat dissipating purposes.

lam aware of the following U.S. patents issued in this field: Schwartz U.S. Pat. No. l.O33.i22; Carlson U.S. Pat. No. l.l05,962; Forshee U.S. Pat. No. l.376,4l6.

None of the prior art known to me discloses the novel features of my invention as outlined above.

During the foregoing discussion, various objectives. features and advantages of the invention have been set forth. These and other objectives. features and advantages of the invention together with structural details thereof will be elaborated upon during the forthcoming description of certain presently preferred embodiments of the invention and presently preferred methods of practicing the same.

in the accompanying drawings l have shown certain presently preferred embodiments of the invention and have illustrated certain presently preferred methods of practicing the same wherein:

HO. 1 is a side elevational view of one form of hairdresser's implement constructed in accordance with my invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the implement shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged end elevational view of the implement shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a similar view of another modification of the implement.

With reference now to FiGS. 1-3 of the drawings, the exemplary hairdressers implement 10 shown therein comprises a curling iron 12 conventionally configured with handle [4. a spring-loaded pivoted arm or tong 14 with operating lever 16. and a heating element housing 18. Usually the element housing 18 is slotted as de noted by reference numeral 20 for the escape of steam. a liquid scent or conditioning oil.

in accordance with the invention the hairdressers implement 10 is unexpectedly comprised of the curing iron 12 and a more or less conventional comb 22 (or one of a series of combs). which is mounted in a unexpected fashion upon the curling iron l2. in the illustruted embodiment the comb 22 is detachably secured by means of an uniquely arranged mounting bracket 24. upon the arm or tong 14 of the curling iron l2.

The mounting bracket 24 is arranged most desirably for not only quick-detachable securance to the tong 14 but also for quick-detachable securance ofthe comb 22 to the bracket 24. This permits ready removal of the bracket 24 and its comb 22 from the tong 14 for those few instances wherein it is desired to use the curling iron l2 separately of the hairdresser's implement l0.

7 This also permits ready removability of the comb 22 for separate usage or for replacement by a comb having a different size. shape. styling or t'ooth pitch.

in accord with still another unexpected feature of the invention. the bracket 24 is configured to maintain minimal contact area with the tong l4 and with the comb 22 in order to reduce the transfer of heat from the curling iron [2 to the comb 22. This is particularly important where the comb 22 is manufactured. as is usual. from a relatively good heat transfer material. in this connection. it should be pointed out that most professional combs are made of aluminum.

The transfer of heat from the curling iron to the comb 22 is further controlled by the incorporation. in cooperation with the tong 14 and the comb 22, of a number of longitudinal thermally insulating and heat dissipating air passages in and adjacent the mounting bracket 24. This permits the free circulation ofambient air the convection current of. which further reduce the transfer of heat from the curling iron 12 and its tong 14 to the bracket 24 and comb 22.

in one arrangement of the mounting bracket 24, the bracket is formed generally with a wye configuration in cross-section, as evident from HO. 3. The arms 26 of the bracket 24 form a trough configuration the outer lateral edge portions of which are provided with tongsecuring means including inward curing lip structures 28 shaped for interfitting and quick-detachable engagement with the lateral edges 30 of the tong 14. Accordingly the mounting bracket 24 can be quick-attached and-detached. in a keying manner. with respect to the tong l4 by sliding longitudinally as indicated by arrows 32 (FIG. 2).

Base portion 34 of the bracket 24 is provided with a recntrant fold 36 (FIG. 3) and external folds 38 which cooperate to form a second trough configuration gencrally opposite from the first-mentioned trough configuration ofthe bracket and including a longitudinal passage 40 shaped to receive a back portion 42 of the comb 22. Desirably the external folds 38 are shaped to engage complementarily a thinned portion 44 extending along the length of the comb 22 and its back portion 42. The passage or groove 40 of the bracket 24 is thus shaped for longitudinally sliding insertion of the comb 22 (arrows 46, FIG. 2). The comb 22 is thereby quiek-attachably and-detachably mounted, in a keying fashion. on the bracket 24.

Alternatively the base portion 34 of the bracket 24 can be fabricated from a lighter but more resilient material (such a suitable. structural plastic) to provide a snap-engagement between the bracket 24 and the comb. Such snap-engagement (to a keying position) is illustrated in FIG. 2 by chain outline 48 of the comb and arrows 50 denoting lateral engaging and disengaging movement of the comb 48.

With more particular reference to FIG. 3. the mounting bracket 24 also serves to minimize the transfer of heat from the curling iron l2 to the comb 22 by means of a number of longitudinally extending air passages formed by the mounting bracket 24. chiefly in cooperation with the curling iron 12 and the comb 22. in the first instance the lips 28 of the mounting bracket 24 space the tong I4 of the curling iron 12 from its element housing 18 to provide longitudinally extending air passage 52 generally between the tong l4 and the housing 18. The tong l4. arms 26 and the adjacent surface of the reentrant portion 36 of the bracket 24 define a series of longitudinally extending air passages 53, 54 extending generally between the tong l4 and respectively adjacent portions of the bracket 24. in this connection it is important to note that the arms 26 and their lips 28 desirably make essentially line contacts 55, 57 with the tong 14 to further reduce the transfer of heat.

A further heat controlling air passage extending between the reentrant portion 36 and the back 42 of the comb 22 is provided by the comb-receiving trough configuration 40 of the bracket 24. Finally. where the bracket 24 is fabricated from a folded sheet material as shown, the external folds 38 afford additional longitudinal heat reducing air passages 56. it is contemplated. of course. that the bracket 24 can be molded from a suitable structural material. in which event the lastmentioned passages 56 may not be provided. it is also contemplated that the base portion 34 of the bracket 24, together with its comb-receiving groove 40, can be configured otherwise than shown in order to accommodate a differently shaped back gponion ofa given comb.

With reference now to FIG. 4 of the drawings. it is contemplated that additional means can be utilized to reduce further the transfer of heat from the curling iron 12 to the bracket 24' and its comb 22. One such means includes usage of strips or layers 58, 60 of insulating material. such as asbestos. secured to the arms 26 and- /or lips 28' of the bracket 24'. Desirably the insulating layers 58, 60 are secured permanently to the bracket 24' for assembly and disassembly therewith. Thermally isolating passages 40'. 54' function in much the same manner as described previously in connection with HO. 3.

From the foregoing it will be seen that a novel and efficient Hairdressers implement has been disclosed and described herein. The accompanying descriptive and illustrative materials are utilized for purposes of exemplifying the invention and not in limitation thereof. Accordingly. numerous modifications of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Moreover. it is to be understood that certain features of the invention can be used to advantage without a corresponding use of other features thereof.

I claim:

I. A hairdressers implement for curling and combing hair and for substantially reducing the transfer of heat from a heating element to a comb of said implement. said implement comprising a curling iron having a pivotable tong, a comb, and a bracket for securing said comb to said tong. said bracket and said comb being shaped for interfitting quick-detachable engagement. said bracket having a trough configuration extending along a side thereof, means for securing outward lateral edge portions of said bracket trough configuration to lateral edge portions respectively of said tong, said trough configuration being so shaped that a preponderant portion of said bracket is spaced from a preponderant portion of said tong to define and enclose at least one thermally insulating and heat dissipating air passage extending longitudinally therebetween for substantially reducing the transfer of heat from said tong to said bracket and said comb.

2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said securing means include a pair of generally parallel lips for engaging said tong edge portions respectively, said lips spacing said tong from a heating element casing of said curling iron in the substantially closed position ofsaid tong. said lips in addition being spaced from one another to define an additional thermally insulating and heat dissipating air passage extending longitudinally between said heating element casing and said tong in the substantially closed position thereof in further reduction of heat transfer from said curling iron to said tong and said bracket and said comb in the substantially closed position of said tong.

3. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said bracket is provided with a second trough configuration generally opposite from said first-mentioned trough configuration. cooperating means on said second trough configuration and said comb for securing said comb thereto so that said comb is spaced from the bottom of said trough to provide an additional longitudinal air passage extending between said bracket and a back portion of said comb for thermal insulating and heat dissipating purposes.

4. The combination according to claim 3 wherein said bracket is fabricated front sheet material, and said second trough configuration is formed from a pair of external folds and a reentran't fold thercbetween of said sheet material, said external folds being shaped to engage keyingly and quick-detachably recesses on said comb back to provide an interfitting engagement the rebetween. and said reent'rant fold providing said additional air passage as aforesaid.

5. The combination according to claim 2 wherein insulating material is secured to said bracket at areas of otherwise physical contact between said tong and said bracket including its lip portions.

6. The combination according to claim 4 wherein said external folds each define a thermal isolation air passage extending longitudinally therethrough.

a m t- Page 1 of 3 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,913,591 Da October 21 1975 William Zoth Inventor s) It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Cancel all drawing and insert the corrected drawing as shown on the attached sheets.

Column 3, line 39 after "air" insert a comma. same line "current of," should read currents of Signcd and Scaled this Thirty-first Day of May 1971 [SEAL] Arrest:

RUTH c. MASON c. MARSHALL DANN 8 ff Commissi ner nj'larenrs and Trademarks Q Patent NO. 3,913,591 7 Page 2 of 3 William Zoth Page 3 of 3 Patent No 3,913 ,591

William Zoth 

1. A hairdresser''s implement for curling and combing hair and for substantially reducing the transfer of heat from a heating element to a comb of said implement, said implement comprising a curling iron having a pivotable tong, a comb, and a bracket for securing said comb to said tong, said bracket and said comb being shaped for interfitting quick-detachable engagement, said bracket having a trough configuration extending along a side thereof, means for securing outward lateral edge portions of said bracket trough configuration to lateral edge portions respectively of said tong, said trough configuration being so shaped that a preponderant portion of said bracket is spaced from a preponderant portion of said tong to define and enclose at least one thermally insulating and heat dissipating air passage extending longitudinally therebetween for substantially reducing the transfer of heat from said tong to said bracket and said comb.
 2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said securing means include a pair of generally parallel lips for engaging said tong edge portions respectively, said lips spacing said tong from a heating element casing of said curling iron in the substantially closed position of said tong, said lips in addition being spaced from one another to define an additional thermally insulating and heat dissipating air passage extending longitudinally between said heating element casing and said tong in the substantially closed position thereof in further reduction of heat transfer from said curling iron to said tong and said bracket and said comb in the substantially closed position of said tong.
 3. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said bracket is provided with a second trough configuration generally opposite from said first-mentioned trough configuration, cooperating means on said second trough configuration and said comb for securing said comb thereto so that said comb is spaced from the bottom of said trough to provide an additional longitudinal air passage extending between said bracket and a back portion of said comb for thermal insulating and heat dissipating purposes.
 4. The combination according to claim 3 wherein said bracket is fabricated from sheet material, and said second trough configuration is formed from a pair of external folds and a reentrant fold therebetween of said sheet material, said external folds being shaped to engage keyingly and quick-detachably recesses on said comb back to provide an interfitting engagement therebetween, and said reentrant fold providing said additional air passage as aforesaid.
 5. The combination according to claim 2 wherein insulating material is secured to said bracket at areas of otherwise physical contact between said tong and said bracket including its lip portions.
 6. The combination according to claim 4 wherein said external folds each define a thermal isolation air passage extending longitudinally therethrough. 